The Ringneck Pheasant is a common permanent resident across Nebraska. This wiley bird can be found throughout the year in croplands, ditches, wooded areas, and shelter belts. Pheasants often nests in ditches, alfalfa fields, and areas with heavy grass cover. In Nebraska, state wildlife areas are open to fishing, hunting, and trapping, in season, except where closed (or restricted) by signing or special area regulations. In addition to the thousands of acres of state wildlife areas Nebraska also has many controlled shooting areas across the state where you can hunt pheasants.

A controlled shooting area is regulated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These operations offer varying seasons, bag limits, and other individualized regulations. Nebraska residents must have a resident hunting permit and a habitat stamp to hunt on a Controlled Shooting Area. Nonresidents must have a habitat stamp and either a Controlled Shooting Area permit (which is good only for one particular Controlled Shooting Area) or the general nonresident permit.

2013 Nebraska Pheasant Hunting Outlook

Last year was a mixed bag for Nebraska pheasant hunters. There were numerous reports of success This year there has been a turnaround as has been the case across neighboring states. The outlook is positive for pheasant hunters in Nebraska.

The mild winter and calm spring made conditions ideal for pheasant hatching. There should be a good group of new pheasants added to the population this year. As is the case in other states the dry summer could lead to some trouble for pheasants, but the overall feeling is that 2013 will be a quality hunting season bordering on average to above average.